ThunderClan's Deputy Ceremony

The day had come for Lightningstar to announce his choice for deputy. While he'd been able to handle the daily chores and tasks on his own deep down he knew that he'd been procrastinating the ceremony, but after Cloudbreeze diligently reminding him of what needed to be done, he sat upon Great Rock. Letting out a sigh, he gave his fluffy pelt a shake in an effort to temporarily rid himself of the snow that continuously fell from above. Wrapping his tail neatly around his paws, he shifted his weight back and forth before opening his maw to begin.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather bellow Great Rock for a clan meeting!" the large leader's voice boomed over the clan that milled about bellow.

Blazepaw padded out of the apprentice den when he heard a clan meeting being called. The quiet tom sat down in the back away from everyone as he waited to see what the meeting was for.

Sparrowclaw smiled sweetly as she played with the clan kits before a clan meeting was called. She padded towards the front greeting everyone she padded past. She wondered if this was the meeting for getting deputy. She wrapped her bushy tail around her white paws, and as she looked up at lightningstar, she wondered who the new deputy would be.

Marbledstrike's dappled pelt sat pristinely in the clearing, ears pricked, eyes alert, silent as ever. It was a great surprise when Cloudbreeze stepped down, and Marbledstrike wondered who the next deputy of ThunderClan would be.

Cloudbreeze followed behind her father, staying beneath the Great Rock instead of leaping as she usually would. Sorrow welled in her heart as she felt a great sense of guilt. Unable to continue her father's pawsteps, she had to make the tough decision to step down as deputy. While Lightningstar had been blessed with the gift of nine lives that helped with the effects of aging, unfortunately, Cloudbreeze was not given such an exception. The gray lining her muzzle showcased such, along with the aching in her bones that brought alongside it a deep, never-ending pain. Looking up to her father, she gave a dip of her head, respect shining behind her gaze. Whoever took her place would be one that Starclan's paws blessed, and she silently hoped it would be a cat she approved of as well.

Waiting until his clan to gathered bellow, Lightningstar took a breath before beginning. He'd never had to perform a deputy ceremony before and prayed that he said the right things, for his sake and Cloudbreeze's. "As you all know, Cloudbreeze stepped down from her position as d-deputy," he began calmly, though a lump quickly grew in his throat. Whether it was from the sadness of his daughter leaving his side as his predecessor or his nerves, he wasn't quite sure, but clearing his throat, he continued. Right now was not the time to make mistakes.

"She helped lead the clan valiantly, but sometimes in the winds of change, we find our true direction. And now, it is time for me to choose ThunderClan's next deputy," the large leader mewed softly, meeting his daughter's gaze with a soft one. Yes, part of him found himself disappointed at the outcome, but that didn't mean that she wasn't still a strong, commendable warrior of ThunderClan. She was his kin after all, so it was to be expected no matter what rank she held.

"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of ThunderClan will be Sparrowclaw," the deep voiced leader mewed calmly with a nod, his practically emotionless façade not wavering as he met the younger she-cat's gaze.

Sparrowclaw looked shocked as her name was called before giving a small nod to the leader. "I will do the best I can!" She mewed in her friendly voice hoping she would make a good deputy to thunderclan. The brown Molly smiled as everyone congratulated her. SHe knew, even if she wasn't strong enough, she would get stronger for her clan.